J.Howard Turner

Persistence of donor cells in neonates after fetal and exchange transfusion

Abstract Cytogenetic analysis was performed on the peripheral blood of 14 male infants who had received fetal transfusions of maternal blood and on 48 infants who had received exchange transfusion with donor blood of the opposite sex. Similar observations were made on the 167 donor blood packs prior to transfusion. Maternal lymphocytes have persisted for longer than 2 years in the peripheral blood of 4 infants who received fetal transfusion. In contrast, no donor lymphocytes were identified beyond 6 to 8 weeks post transfusion in the infants who received exchange transfusion with donor blood of blood bank origin.

Down's syndrome: Variation of leukemia occurrence in institutionalized populations

DOWN’S syndrome (mongolism) is characterized by a consistent trisomic or effectively trisomic state [1] and the abnormal morphologic and physiologic characteristics of the affected person appear to be the result of this basic difference. The well-known risk of leukemia observed with Down’s syndrome [2, 31 would also seem to be a reflection of the characteristic chromosomal imbalance. Other prezygotic forms of genetic imbalance have also been described as possible initial stages in the leukemia process. [4, 51 However, since the high risk of leukemia in Down’s syndrome continues beyond childhood, [6, 71 the leukemic cell type is not specific, [6, 81 and most individuals with Down’s syndrome do not develop the disease, it would seem that the high risk of leukemia is not simply a result of the aberrant chromosomal condition. Sizable populations with Down’s syndrome are not readily identified for study because the condition is relatively rare, occurring in about one in 700 live births, and the syndrome is associated with high mortality rates in infancy and childhood with few persons reaching adulthood. Accordingly, most reports of leukemia and Down’s syndrome have come from childhood leukemia case series [9, lo] and surveys. [2,3,1 l] Only two population-based studies of leukemia and Down’s syndrome have been reported to date, one in Pennsylvania [6, 71 and the other in England. [12] The purpose of this study is to further assess the nature of the association of Down’s syndrome and leukemia in a defined population.

Cytogenetic evidence concerning possible transplacental transfer of leukocytes in pregnant women

Abstract Chromosome analyses were performed on 5,490 leukocytes in metaphase which were obtained from the cord blood of 183 live newborn male infants. Of these, 5,474 cells contained XY chromosomes, 14 were XX, and 2 had XO sex patterns. The 16 cells with XX and XO chromosomes were derived from 2 infants who had developmental defects and died within 34 days of delivery. It is suggested that mitotically capable leukocytes do not cross the placentas of normal fetuses, and that transfer may occur if the fetus and placenta are developmentally defective.

Sonar biparietal diameter growth standards in the rhesus monkey.

Serial sonar fetal cephalometry was performed on 67 pregnant monkeys (Macaca ulatta) with known breeding dates. A normal biparietal diameter (BPD) growth curve was constructed along four percentile divisions; namely, the 10th to the 24th, 25th to the 49th, 50th to the 74th, and the 75th to the 90th. It is shown that under normal conditions fetuses initially positioned in any one of these divisions will continue to grow within the confines of that same percentile range. This biologic phenomenon has not been previously reported. It is significant because it leads to a more precise separation of normal vs. suboptimal intrauterine growth.

Post-tubal sterilization syndrome—A misnomer

Menstrual parameters and gynecologic symptoms of 389 women who underwent laparoscopic tubal banding were studied prospectively and longitudinally. Previous oral contraceptive users exhibited an immediate increase in menstrual flow and dysmenorrhea, which declined slightly with time. No such changes occurred in women who used other methods of temporary contraception. A significant increase in noncyclic pelvic pain, independent of previous contraceptive usage, developed only in women greater than 38 years of age. Menstrual cycles and dyspareunia were not affected. A small control group of women whose husbands underwent vasectomy showed no significant changes in any of these parameters.

Advantages of use of maternal erythrocytes for fetal transfusion

Abstract Although many incompletely understood problems surround fetal transfusion, the desirability of maximum quality control of donor blood is evident. It is felt that the administration of washed maternal erythrocytes will minimize the risk of incompatibility, homologous serum jaundice, infection, and immunologic disorders in the fetus. The removal of extraneous, unnecessary, and potentially injurious components from whole blood is incomplete, for mitotically active lymphocytes are present in all donor blood tested at the time of transfusion. Studies on 6 male fetuses who were transfused revealed 2 instances of more than 5 per cent XX lymphocytes in short-term cultures from samples of peripheral blood obtained on the day of birth (23 days after fetal transfusion) and at 16 months of age. Lymphocytic chimerism may be an infrequent but important complication of fetal transfusion.

DOWNS SYNDROME AND EXPOSURE TO X-IRRADIATION*

The purpose of this paper is to consider the possibility that x-irradiation of individuals may increase, in some manner, the likelihood of their subsequent progeny having Down’s syndrome. The evaluation of present relevant information requires that we consider observations made in three research areas. These include epidemiologic studies, population cytogenetic investigations, and the results of some newer biological experiments.

Cyclohexylamine mutagenicity: an in vivo evaluation utilizing fetal lambs.

Summary The in vivo effects of cyclohexylamine (CHA) upon the segregation apparatus and chromosome morphology of mitogenically capable lymphocytes obtained from the peripheral circulating blood tissue of living fetal lambs in utero were evaluated. CHA proved to be a clastogen in vivo . The mechanism(s) of chromosome effect was evidently expressed during both G 1 and S-G 2 phases of the cellular autosynthetic cycle. Increases in numerical aberrations were not observed but the chemical was found to produce in vivo toxicity in that a dose-related inhibition of growth was an observable concomitant of increasing levels of treatment.

Significance of cornified cells in the vaginal smear of postmenopausal women

Abstract In the vaginal exfoliative cytology of postmenopausal women who are diabetic or receiving digitalis therapy cornified cells are frequently noted. The vaginal cytology of 3 groups of patients has been studied, viz., 3,019 newly admitted geriatric patients, 90 patients receiving digitalis therapy, and 50 diabetic patients. The incidence of cornification in the vaginal smears of the 3.019 patients was approximately 4 per cent. Statistical evaluation of 124 individuals displaying high, moderate, or mild cornification patterns showed that digitalis therapy has been received in a degree much greater than would be expected. Follow-up of these 124 patients through an adequate time interval of 3 to 7 years revealed that only one patient developed endometrial carcinoma. In the group of 90 patients receiving digitalis therapy 50 per cent of the individuals exhibited cornified cells in the vaginal smear, while in the group of 50 diabetic patients 54 per cent exhibited mature cellular patterns. It is concluded that cornified cells in the vaginal smear of postmenopausal women may be more frequently associated with medical complications and drugs than with endometrial carcinoma.

KARYOTYPIC ABERRATIONS IN CHROMATIN POSITIVE INDIVIDUALS WITH PRIMARY OVARIAN FAILURE

Forty chromatin positive females with primary ovarian failure were studied by cytogenetic and hormonal methods.